OOM Energy Calliope

OOM Energy Calliope is a roadhouse on the main drag at Calliope, part fuel station, part retro-themed restaurant, part mini supermarket, and it is the kind of stop where the dog is part of the plan rather than an afterthought. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area, which opens straight off the car park, making it a genuinely useful highway break for anyone travelling the Dawson Highway with a dog in the car or a rig in tow.

The dog setup

Dogs stay outside: the outdoor seating area is the pet zone, on lead, while the indoor retro dining room is humans only. Bring a portable water bowl because this is a working roadhouse rather than a boutique cafe, and check in with the counter if you need anything specific; staff are generally easy-going with pets. The outdoor area sits close to the forecourt, so keep the leash short and mind vehicle movement while you eat.

Max: park the rig, walk the dog first, then order. A 20-minute leg stretch before you sit down is the difference between a settled dog and one that barks at every truck in the car park.

Worth knowing

The food is hearty roadhouse fare, with burgers, loaded kebabs, breakfast through dinner and big servings that suit a long driving day, and fuel prices that make it a popular fill-up point between Gladstone and the inland. Hours run 3:30am to 11pm every day, so an early dog walk with breakfast in hand is a workable plan. There is free Wi-Fi, toilets and an accessible entrance.

Getting there and parking

The stop sits at 46 Stirrat Street, Calliope, just off the Dawson Highway about 20 minutes south of Gladstone. The sealed car park handles cars, caravans and trucks without drama, so there is no rig-related parking stress.

While you're out there

Overnighting nearby, Calliope Caravan Park is the pet-friendly base in town. Further east, Tannum Sands Dog Beach is a proper off-leash swim stop, and Blend Cafe at Tannum covers the dog-friendly coffee.

More options are on the Queensland dog friendly restaurants guide and the Calliope destination page.